lagoon380

I think the case has no merits at all.

If you look at the path cyclone Pam took on that afternoon, it was heading south-west when the ship sailed but that evening it changed to an almost north-west heading (away from the cruising area) then in the morning it changed again heading south.

Now with that information, if you were the Captain what would you have done.

I agree they would be looking for an out of court settlement.

I was on the Carnival Legend from the 6th of March till the 15th, we just got out of there in time, we left Noumea on the 12th and the cyclone hit Vila on the 13th.

Yes old news, ship left Sydney heading for the islands but cyclone forecast changed and they changed direction, the key is that the forecast when they left wasn't too bad but later the cyclone had changed direction so safer to not go towards it.

We always just put cash on the account when we get our sail & sign cards, they will ask how much cash you would like to put on your account (this is before you get on the ship) and any credit left on your account can be withdrawn on the last night or morning.

When you check-in online just set it up as a cash account.

I have been there twice in May, both times the weather was great and certainly warm enough to swim, high 20's temp wise.

We live 1.5 hrs north of Newcastle and we are considering this sailing charter, should be easy to organize before hand if on a cruise stopping at Newcastle.

http://www.lakemacquariesailingcharters.com.au/

We have teenage kids, have been on 3 carnival cruise's and can recommend Carnival, we had a great time on all 3 and going again in a couple of months.

The ship has very little movement unless the seas are very rough and the movement would be very different and far less than a whale watching boat.

There is some info on Escapade Island in this thread.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2276112&highlight=escapade+island

The same water taxi to Duck Island can also take you to Escapade Island.

Thanks Lagoon380 and everyone for this thread. We are heading to Noumea on 3rd January. The Escapade tour is fully booked and the Lagoon snorkeling is fully booked! I was quite upset. From your message it seems like we can go to Escapade privately is that right? I heard only one tour is allowed there? Im struggling as we want to snorkel when there.

yes it is the island resort ferry just be at the spot shown on the map before departure time and buy your tickets from the hut.

You can also get a water taxi to the island as well.

I had paid in full when I booked due to getting a very good deal which required full payment.

This is on Carnival Australia's website......

This is in the FAQ section....

1. Online Check-in Guests become eligible for online check-in 60 days before you sail. You cannot, however, print your check in documents until you have paid for your cruise in full.

This is on the already booked page....

2.

You've booked your Carnival cruise, so now what?

Then it's time to check-in. You'll need to have your Booking Name, Booking Reference Number, Valid Passport and Credit Card Details on hand to complete all of your check-in details. Your actual check-in time can be selected 6 months before you sail. Please note you cannot print off your boarding pass until you have paid in full.

I can understand the confusion.:confused::confused::confused:

I selected our boarding time and downloaded the boarding pass on the 14th of October 2015 for a cruise on the 15th of March 2016 which is 5 months before sailing date.

I had read about the 6 months checking time and kept checking every few days then on the 14th it was available.

12 - 12.30 is the first available slot then last slot is 4 -4.30, once that time slot is full it is no longer available and it's first in best dressed.

Make sure you download your boarding pass as only then will your time be saved as a friend picked their boarding time but didn't download the boarding pass and missed out and had to choose a later time as that was all that was left.

Yes to choose a boarding time and print a boarding pass requires full payment first.

Both are very similar but the Spirit has just had a refurb, so would lean towards the Spirit.

I been on the Spirit twice and the Legend once but have booked the Legend again for March 2016 as the price was a real bargain so couldn't resist.

We did a south pacific cruise on the Carnival Spirit in 2013 & again 2014 then the Carnival Legend in 2015 and booked the Legend again for 2016, they are just a great value family holiday especially the last 2 as we got a great deal under $60 a day.

Also looking at a Sydney to/from Hawaii cruise either way in 2017, they are addictive.

Cabins above and below you so should be quiet, no lifeboats to obstruct the view and close to the middle of the ship so you won't feel much movement.

I'll recommend the cascade waterfalls as well and with the van drivers just be firm with them on the price as last time we were there the driver tried to up the price at the end of the day, I told him to take the $150 (13 of us in a van) we agreed on or if he keeps arguing he'll get nothing, he finally realized I wasn't going to give him any extra and went on his way.

We went to the Cascade waterfalls and then to the Beach bar which is next to Hideaway Island

Reef shoes and maybe some gear for the Mexican and Caribbean theme nights,

It's a short walk from the cruise terminal to Port Moselle, there are usually some markets there.

Walk along the marina where there is a row of small huts (see map) one of these huts sells tickets to the ferry which leaves from port moselle, it will open before the ferry is due to leave.

Getting To and From L’Escapade Island.

The Resort Boat “Coral Palms” which is a decent-size with internal seating, runs a scheduled service between L’Escapade Island and Port Moselle, the Downtown Noumea Marina, Ferry and Cruise Ship terminal. Port Moselle is only a few blocks and an easy walk to and from the centre of Noumea and the central Place De Cocotiers. L’Escapade Island resort is approximately 6 kilometres from Port Moselle.

Resort Boat Schedule:

Depart Depart

Port Moselle Escapade Island

8:00am 8:30am

10:00am 10:30am

11:30am 2:00pm

2:30pm 3:00pm

4:30pm 5:00pm

5:30pm 6:00pm

7:00pm 11:00pm

· Additional evening transfers are scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays as well as Saturdays and Sundays November through March.

· Scheduled boat transfers are included in the tariff while staying at L’Escapade Island.

· Private boat transfers can be arranged at additional cost.

· A Helicopter transfer service is also available at a supplementary charge.

You could try Escapade Island, the ferry leaves from the marina a short walk from where the buses drop you off, you can also get a water taxi there as well.

We will be there for a 4th time in March and plan to do either Escapade or Amadee

Here's a good video of the Escapade Island (Island Maitre)

it would be 2 Twin Beds (convert to King) and 2 Upper Pullmans.

Here is a video of 6121 on the Spirit, quad interior.

I can't comment on the Explorer of the Seas but have been on the Spirit twice with kids and it was great, very family friendly.

The Carnival Legend in March 2016 to Suva, it will be in port on a Sunday so they may not run that tour, I'm booked on the same cruise and was looking at independent tours and they don't run The jewel of Fiji tour on Sundays.

The main businesses who run dives on the Coolidge are Allan power and aquamarine, there is a third one I think as well.

I dived the Coolidge in 94 along with Million dollar point which is near by.

When I was there the dive was run by the dive staff on the ship (Fairstar).

I highly recommend the dive.

Call Carnival, they should be able to tell you who runs the dives for them.